Messages

9481

General topics / Re: Tevaram - Some select verses.

« on: July 26, 2016, 09:15:27 AM »

Verse 612:


நின்றவர் தம்மை நோக்கி
    நிகரில்சீர்ச் சண்பை மன்னர்
மன்றலங் குழலி யாராம்
    மானியார் தமக்கும் மானக்
குன்றென நின்ற மெய்ம்மைக்
    குலச்சிறை யார்த மக்கும்
நன்றுதான் வினவக் கூறி
    நற்பதம் போற்று வார்கள்.


The peerless Ruler of Sanbai addressing them
That stood before him, inquired of the welfare
Of Mangkayarkkarasi of perfumed locks and Kulacchirayaar
Who is poised rock-like, in truth;
They duly answered him and adored his hallowed feet.

Arunachala Siva.

9482

The teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi / Re: Our Bhagavan-Stories

« on: July 26, 2016, 07:54:26 AM »

On 15th April 1937, a frequent visitor to the Asramam, asked the
following to Bhagavan Ramana:

Visitor: Arjuna saw the Divine Form of Sri Krishna.  Was that vision
true?

Bhagavan:  Sri Krishna started the discourse in Chapter 2 of the
Bhagavad Gita with:  "I have no form," etc., But in Chapter 11,
He said, "I transcend the three words...."  Yet Arjuna saw these
in Him.  Again Sri Krishna said:  "I am Time".  Does Time have a form? 
If the universe is His form, should it not be uniform and changeless,
He being the Changeless One?  The solution to these apparent contradictions
lies in His statement to Arjuna:  "See in Me all you desire to see..."  which
means that His form varies according to the desires and conceptions of the seer.
Men speak of divine visions, yet paint them differently with the seer himself in
the scene.  Even hypnotics can make one see strange scenes and phenomena,
which you condemn as tricks and jugglery, whereas the former you extol as Divine.
Why is this difference?  The fact is that all sights are unreal, whether they come from
the senses or the mind as pure concepts.  THIS IS THE TRUTH.

***

About the visions and apparitions, mentioned in the above conversation, Brahmasri
Nochur Venkataraman, mentioned two anecdotes:

1. Some one asked Bhagavan in the Old Hall, "Bhagavan!  If
Siva appears before you, what will you ask him?" 
Bhagavan Ramana, smiled and said:  "I shall ask him, O Siva.
do not keep this business of coming and going with me!"

2. Once in Tiruvanananthapuram, during early 19th century, during
the King Marthanda Varma's time, a magician said that he would show
the fights of gods and demons at a particular place in the SKY at Tiruvananathapuram.
Thousands came including the king.  Within minutes, the battle of gods and demons
showed up in the sky.  Many heads rolled, many limbs fell down, blood dropped
like rain waters, weapons and armors fell with huge metallic sounds, many in the battle
cried, horses fell without heads, rathas fell down with broken axle and wheels.

The people who came to witness ran hither and thither.  In the
stampede many broke their limbs and heads. Children cried of
suffocation and fear.  Ladies wailed.  Even the king fell down from his throne on the dais. 

It lasted for 20 minutes and everything was over.  What remained was the
people's continued wailing and weeping.  King had broken his thigh.  The magician
had the last laugh.       

*******

A disciple remarks that Sri Bhagavan often says that Maya and
Reality are the same.  How can that be?

Bhagavan:  Sankara was criticized for his views on Maya without
understanding him.  He said that:  (1) Brahman is real, (2) The
universe is unreal, and (3) Brahman is the universe.  He did not
stop at (2) because the (3) explains the other two.  It signifies
that the universe is real if perceived as the Self, and unreal, if
perceived apart rom the Self.  Hence Maya and Reality are one
and the same.       

(Source:  Guru Ramana, S.S. Cohen.  Brahmasri Nochur Venkataraman's
Satsangh in Bangalore, in Sep 2009 on Sri Dakshinamurty Stotram for 6 days.)

Arunachala Siva.

9483

General Discussion / Kavya Kanta Ganapati Muni Day - 25.07.2016

« on: July 25, 2016, 03:02:04 PM »

Today is the liberation day of Kavya Kanta Ganapati Muni.   He attained Sri Bhagavan's Feet, when he
was touring North India. 


He came to Sri Bhagavan when his mind was not content, in spite of reading all Puranas and various
books on Hindu philosophy.   He came to Sri Bhagavan and held His Feet with his both the hands
and asked Him to solve the problem.  Sri Bhagavan said:  Find out from where the mantra dvani
arises, and hold on to the place.  You will greatly relieved.

Sri Kavya Kanta Ganapati Muni was quite pleased and told everyone that Sri Bhagavan was his Guru.

There are many books on life of Kavya Kanta Muni.  Readers can go through them to know more about him.

contd.,

Arunachala Siva.

9484

General topics / Re: A Pilgrim's Log - Ravi Iyer - Mountain Path -July Sept. 2016.

« on: July 25, 2016, 12:51:55 PM »

Monday, December 28th,  2009:

I climbed to Skandasramam around 3.00 pm.  The rear gate of the Asramam is kept closed until 6 am;
however, I use the detour available by walking past the Ganapati temple, just beyond Annamalai Swami
Asrham and swinging right along Palakottu tank along with the outer aspect of the Asramam's rear boundary
wall until I reach the rear gate from the other side.  From there it is up the regular path to Skandasramam.
The early morning darkness is well relived by the bright illumination of an LED head lamp that I brought
specifically for this purpose.

The climb to Skandasramam strikes me as a very apt metaphor for the course of spiritual sadhana.
The initital 1/3 is a steep heart pounding climb that very often bests the faint of heart, just as when
one initially starts a new sadhana, one is faced with seemingly daunting obstacles.  But when just
when you think that you would never succeed in the face of such rigor, the path levels off and you enter
a shaded plateau between two hill outcrops.

Sitting securely on that rock in the predawn darkness, I felt suspended in space with the lights of the
Arunachaleswara temple, and the town shining like jewels beneath my feet.  Above was the December
sky, and the waxing moon.  Behind was the towering massive presence of Arunachala.  In my ears
were the magnetic sounds of Vedic chants.  I rapidly sink into this experience.  There are no further words
that can be used.

contd.,

Arunachala Siva. 



 

9485

General topics / Re: Tiruvchakam - Verses and Meanings thereof in English:

« on: July 25, 2016, 12:37:07 PM »

Verse  38:


அடர்புல னால்நிற் பிரிந்தஞ்சி அஞ்சொல்நல்
    லாரவர்தம்
விடர்விட லேனை விடுதிகண் டாய்விரிந்
    தேயெரியுஞ்
சுடரனை யாய்சுடு காட்டர சேதொழும்
    பர்க்கமுதே
தொடர்வரி யாய்தமி யேன்தனி நீக்குந்
    தனித்துணையே.



O One who is like unto the spreading and burning fire !
O Sovereign of the Crematory!
O Ambrosia unto servitors !
O One well-nigh impossible of access !
O unique Help That annuls the utter loneliness of my lone self !
Distressed by senses,
I parted from You;
I am scared.
I have skill none to break the charm of sweet-tongued damsels.
Will You yet forsake me?

contd.,

Arunachala Siva.

9486

General topics / Re: Tiruvchakam - Verses and Meanings thereof in English:

« on: July 25, 2016, 12:34:22 PM »

Verse  37:


அரைசே அறியாச் சிறியேன் பிழைக்கஞ்ச
    லென்னினல்லால்
விரைசேர் முடியாய் விடுதிகண் டாய்வெண்
    நகைக்கருங்கண்
திரைசேர் மடந்தை மணந்த திருப்பொற்
    பதப்புயங்கா
வரைசேர்ந் தடர்ந்தென்ன வல்வினை தான்வந்
    தடர்வனவே.



O Lord adorned with serpents !
She whose teeth are white And whose eyes are black,
emerged from the sea of milk and gained at merger of Your auric feet.
O Monarch whose crown breathes fragrance !
Like mountains galore united in a fight,
are out To attack,
my cruel deeds fore-gather and assail me.
Will You not offer me Refuge against the sins,
Which,
I ? the nascent one -,
had committed?
Will You forsake me?


contd.,


Arunachala Siva.

9487

General topics / Re: Abhirami Andati - verses and meanings:

« on: July 25, 2016, 12:32:12 PM »

Verse 78:


78: செப்பும் கனக கலசமும் போலும் திருமுலைமேல்
அப்பும் களப அபிராம வல்லி, அணி தரளக்
கொப்பும், வயிரக் குழையும், விழியின் கொழுங்கடையும்,
துப்பும், நிலவும் எழுதிவைத்தேன், என் துணை விழிக்கே.

என் தாயே! அபிராமி! உன்னையே என் இரு கண்களில் எழுதி வைத்தேன். அந்த உருவம் எப்படிப் பட்டதெனின், மாணிக்கப் பூண் அணிந்த பொற்கலசம் போன்ற திருமுலை; அம்முலைமேல் பூசிய மணம் வீசும் சிறந்த சந்தனக் கலவை; அங்கே புரளும் அணிகலன்கள்; சிறந்த முத்துக் கொப்பு; வைரத்தோடு; செழுமையான கருணைமிகும் கடைக்கண்கள்; குளிர்ச்சியை உமிழ்கின்ற நிலவைப் போன்ற திருமுகம் இவைகளெல்லாம் கொண்ட வடிவையே என் மனத்தில் இருத்தினேன்.

O My Mother Abhirami!  I have written You in my two eyes. That form is the two breasts, which are
like gold pots, with Ruby cover.  On those breasts, there is the sandal paste and there are are
various pearl necklaces and other various ornaments made of pearl and diamonds.  Your cool eyes
which spread grace, and cool waves, like the rays of moon.  I shall ever keep that form in my mind.

contd.,

Arunachala Siva.     

9488

The teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi / Re: The Ribhu Gita -Dr.Lingeswara Rao and Anil Sharma translations:

« on: July 25, 2016, 12:25:14 PM »

37. I alone shine as another.  I alone am as the body.  All this is, indeed, the Supreme Brahman.
I am Brahman alone.

38.  I shine as the disciple and three worlds.  All this is, indeed, the Supreme Brahman.  I am Brahman
alone.

39.  I am above the three periods of time. I am propitiated by the Vedas.  All this is, indeed, the
Supreme Brahman. I am Brahman alone. 

40.  I am defined in the scriptures.  I dwell in the mind. All this is, indeed, the Supreme Brahman.
I am Brahman alone.

41.  Excluding Me there is not even a trifle.  Excluding Me, even the earth is not. All this is, indeed,
the Supreme Brahman.  I am Brahman alone.

42. There is no water outside Me -  This alone is the highest Mantra.  This, indeed, is Brahman.
I am Brahman alone.

43. I am Brahman.  I am pure.  Eternally pure am I, ever. I am without qualities.   I am without
craving.  This alone is the Superior Mantra.

44. I am of the form of Hari, Brahma, and others. I am devoid of even these distinctions.  I am
Brahman alone.  I alone am. I am unconquerable.

45.  I shine of My own, by Myself, verily by Myself and by naught else. I am rooted in Myself.  This
is the excellent Mantra.

contd.,


Arunachala Siva.       
 
   

9489

The teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi / Re: Sri Ramana Paravidyopanishad - by 'Who', K. Lakshmana Sarma.

« on: July 25, 2016, 12:13:26 PM »

618.  For this reason the Sage transcends the sacred books bearing on human conduct, because
the mind-free one is not bound by them.  Those books are concerned with ignorant ones;  they are
subject to regulation by them, because they have the sense of being doers of action.

619. By Revelation the Sage's state is described as one in which the Vedas are not Vedas, and
the devas are not devas.

620.  One should not act upon the teachings of the sages;  he must not imitate any act done by a Sage.
The teachings of Sages are the highest authority, not so their actions.

621.  In the course of life, the Sage, who has transcended all the Yogas, being established in the
Supreme State, may live like a Yogi, or even like a bhogi, but that yoga and bhoga are not real.

622. The pair of bondage and freedom, which are spoken of in the course of instruction to disciples,
does not really exist.  Since it is settled that all pairs of opposites are unreal, how can this pair be real?

623. The Real Self is ever free.  The bound one is only the soul, the effect of the Ignorance.
Therefore in truth there is no Deliverance either.  The thought of Deliverance is due only to the
belief in bondage.

contd.,

Arunachala Siva. 

   

9490

General topics / Re: Tevaram - Some select verses.

« on: July 25, 2016, 09:33:32 AM »

Verse 611:



புகலிகா வலர்தாங் கேட்டுப்
    பொருவிலா அருள்முன் கூர
அகமலர்ந் தவர்கள் தம்மை
    அழையும்என் றருளிச் செய்ய
நகைமுகச் செவ்வி நோக்கி
    நற்றவ மாந்தர் கூவத்
தகவுடை மாந்தர் புக்குத்
    தலையினால் வணங்கி நின்றார்.



When the Ruler of Pukali heard this, peerless love
Welled up in him; his face beamed and he graciously said:
"Call them in." Beholding the smiling and grace-abounding
Visage of the godly child, goodly servitors of tapas called them;
The knowledgeable messengers came in and prostrated
At the feet of the godly child, and rose up.   


Arunachala Siva.

9491

General topics / Re: Tevaram - Some select verses.

« on: July 25, 2016, 09:31:03 AM »

Verse  610:


மற்றவர் சென்று புக்கு
    வளவர்கோன் மகளார் தென்னர்
கொற்றவன் தேவி யாரும்
    குலச்சிறை யாரும் ஏவப்
பொற்கழல் பணிய வந்தோம்
    எனச்சிலர் புறத்து வந்து
சொற்றனர் என்று போற்றித்
    தொழுதுவிண் ணப்பஞ் செய்தார்.




The door-keepers went in, adored the godly child
And humbly him thus: "By the fiat of the daughter
Of the Chozha monarch, the consort of the Pandya king,
And Kulacchiraiyaar, messengers have come
To adore your feet of auric anklets; thus they say,
And are waiting without the Matam."

Arunachala Siva.

9492

General topics / Re: Tevaram - Some select verses.

« on: July 25, 2016, 09:28:43 AM »

Verse 609:


திருமறைக் காடு நண்ணிச்
    சிரபுர நகரில் வந்த
அருமறைப் பிள்ளையார் தாம்
    அமர்ந்தினி தருளுஞ் செல்வப்
பெருமடத் தணைய வந்து
    பெருகிய விருப்பில் தாங்கள்
வருமுறைத் தன்மை எல்லாம்
    வாயில்கா வலர்க்குச் சொன்னார்.


Reaching Tirumaraikkaadu they came to the great
And opulent Matam where abode the godly son
Of the Vedas rare, that hailed from Sirapuram;
In great love they apprised the door-keepers
Of all the happenings that led to their coming there.

Arunachala Siva.

9493

General topics / Re: Tevaram - Some select verses.

« on: July 25, 2016, 09:26:03 AM »

Verse  608:



ஆங்கவர் விடமுன் போந்த
    அறிவுடை மாந்தர் அங்கண்
நீங்கிவண் தமிழ்நாட் டெல்லை
    பிற்பட நெறியின் ஏகி
ஞாங்கர்நீர் நாடும் காடும்
    நதிகளும் கடந்து வந்து
தேங்கமழ் கைதை நெய்தல்
    திருமறைக் காடு சேர்ந்தார்.


Thus ordered, the wise messengers left the city,
Crossed the limits of the bounteous Tamizh country
And passing through well-watered Marudam,
Forests and rivers, arrived at the outskirts
Of Tirumaraikkaadu of the littoral region
Rich in melliferus, fragrant screw-pines.


Arunachala Siva.

9494

General topics / Re: Tevaram - Some select verses.

« on: July 25, 2016, 09:23:46 AM »

Verse 607:



காதலால் மிக்கோர் தாங்கள்
    கைதொழு கருத்தி னாலே
போதவிழ் சோலை வேலிப்
    புகலிகா வலனார் செய்ய
பாதங்கள் பணிமின் என்று
    பரிசன மாக்கள் தம்மை
மாதவஞ் சுருதி செய்த
    மாமறைக் காட்டில் விட்டார்.


Those two of great devotion, desiring to adore
In person the godly child, deputed their messengers thus:
"May you go and adore at the feet of the lord
Of Pukali girt with gardens of blooming flowers
(And apprise him of our plight). "
Thus they sent them to the great Maraikkaadu
Where the Vedas performed, of yore, great ascesis.

Arunachala Siva.

9495

General topics / Re: Tevaram - Some select verses.

« on: July 25, 2016, 09:21:32 AM »

Verse 606:



கேட்டஅப் பொழுதே சிந்தை
    கிளர்ந்தெழு மகிழ்ச்சி பொங்க
நாட்பொழு தலர்ந்த செந்தா
    மரைநகை முகத்த ராகி
வாட்படை அமைச்ச னாரும்
    மங்கையர்க் கரசி யாரும்
சேட்படு புலத்தா ரேனுஞ்
    சென்றடி பணிந்தார் ஒத்தார்.



The very moment they heard this, the countenances
Of the minister, the wielder of the sword,
And Mangkayarkkarasi, by reason of the joy
That welled up in them, blossomed like the lotus
That burgeoned fresh that day; they were like the ones
Who sought and adored at the feet of the godly child,
Though in truth, they were far, far away from him.

Arunachala Siva.